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Ahmed lifted the glass and sipped. Then he did something which made Gemma stiffen involuntarily. He smiled at her and lifted the glass to her, as if toasting her health.
Gemma glanced at Rashid and saw that he had seen the gesture. Rashid's features darkened. He glanced at Gemma, looking genuinely puzzled for a moment.
"Have you met sheikh Ahmed?" Rashid asked.
"Who?" Gemma asked, pretending not to understand who he was talking about.
Rashid gestured in Ahmed's direction. "Him," he said. "The one who just lifted his glass and smiled at you."
There was an edge to Rashid's voice. Was that jealousy or was it resentment?
Gemma scanned the faces, intending to continue the pretence. But then, what she saw made nerves curl in her middle.
Ahmed was starting to make his way straight toward them.
What was he doing? Hadn't he just told her that he and Rashid were rivals? Hadn't the sheikh just tried to tempt her away from Rashid, even although she'd only just arrived?
"Looks like he's coming over," Rashid said. "I was planning on introducing you to him before you left. It appears that will happen sooner than I thought," Rashid explained.
Gemma wondered how she should handle this.The last thing she wanted was some kind of unpleasant scene between Rashid and Ahmed. But, it might well be impossible to avoid, she told herself.
Here she was, caught in the middle between two men who, judging by what Ahmed had said and by Rashid's tone, probably detested each other. Maybe that was what the men in this country were like, she told herself. She had heard they were possessive, even obsessive about their women.
Ahmed eased his way past the guests close to Gemma and Rashid and then he was standing next to them, a broad smile on his face.
"You haven't introduced me to your new protege, Rashid," Ahmed said.
Had he just described her as Rashid's protege? Gemma felt sudden irritation. Before she had a chance to respond, Rashid placed a hand behind her back.
There was a flash of light and Gemma saw a nearby guest holding up a mobile phone and taking a picture of the scene.
Gemma felt Rashid's fingers press against her back. She stiffened at his touch and moved forward a step. Ahmed extended his hand. "Sheikh Ahmed, " he said. He narrowed his eyes. "Haven't we already met? I mean before tonight?"
Why had he just said that?
He continued, as if sensing her reaction. "I mean, tonight, up there on the platform, when you were introduced by Rashid."
"No," Gemma snapped.
"That's funny. Your face is so familiar," Ahmed said.
"Of course it is, Sheikh Ahmed," Rashid said quickly. "Gemma's face is all over the internet. And over every media outlet in Qazhar today."
Ahmed nodded. "I must have seen something before tonight." Ahmed smiled at Rashid. "You must be pleased, Rashid."
Rashid's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Ahmed ran his gaze down the length of Gemma's body. "Miss Ellon is a very beautiful woman."
Gemma felt her face flush.
"Quite a catch," Ahmed continued.
What was he implying about her relationship with Rashid? That she was somehow his property?
Rashid looked at Gemma with visible appreciation. "I'm sure we're going to work very well together," he said. Gemma wasn't sure whether the shiver up her spine was caused by that remark or by the sudden cool breeze that swept through the room.
"It's early days," Gemma said. "We've got lots of work to do. I'm really excited about the project."
